The smoke plume of the River Fire, as seen from near Lakeport. - A.F. Baumann

MENDOCINO Co., 8/8/18 -- Now that the majority of the evacuation orders have been lifted for the Mendocino Complex, many evacuees are beginning to return home — yet for many, the recovery process is just beginning. Communities in both Mendocino and Lake counties are still in the processing of rebuilding from the fires last fall, and ongoing wildfires during this fire season. We've put together a list of resources and ways you can help below.

If there's anything we should add, please get in touch at [email protected]; we will be updating this resource over the coming days and weeks.

North Coast Opportunities, which serves both Lake and Mendocino Counties, is collecting monetary donations to help evacuees, as well as items such as grocery and gas cards. NCO established the Wildlife Relief fund last fall to assist with the Redwood Fire, and now the fund will also provide assistance to people who have had to evacuate from the Mendocino Complex in both counties. The fund is also aiding people who need assistance after the Eel Fire in Covelo and the Pawnee Fire in Lake County.

Ad

Those interested in donating should contact NCO at 707-467-3200. For more information or to donate please visit their website. See the full press release below.

A limited number of new material donations are being collected at the MendoLake Complex Relief Unit, although their needs are changing daily. You can check their Facebook page for what the current needs are; staff reserve the right to turn away donations.

Ad

Resources for people who need help:

Fire survivors in Mendocino County may contact NCO Disaster Case Managers at 707-621-8817. Lake County Disaster Case Managers may be reached at 707-994-2910.

Here's a list of resources that are available for evacuees of the Mendocino Complex — you can apply to get assistance through CalFresh for replacement benefits, connect with temporary housing or emergency funds, animal care, and more. Here's the full resource list. Please note — some of these hours and services will be changing as recovery effort continues, call ahead to make sure someone is available.

A local assistance center, which will be a one-stop shop with multiple different services for evacuees, is being set up in both Lucerne and Lakeport starting Friday, August 10. The Lucerne assistance center will be at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA 95458. The LAC will be open from 10 a.m - 7 p.m., Friday, August 10th through Friday, August 17th. The Lakeport assistance center will be at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave, from 10 a.m - 7 p.m.

Many of our friends and neighbors have been devastated by the Ranch and River fires, and generous people have begun to set up GoFundMe sites like this one. If you know of a GoFundMe site please message us, we would like to aggregate together a list of local GoFundMes etc.

We will try to vet them, to make sure they're real, so if you do message us with one, please include a contact number so that we can check. You can also email [email protected]

NCO ACCEPTING DONATIONS TO SUPPORT 2018 FIRE SURVIVORS
North Coast Opportunities has reopened its Wildfire Relief Fund to support fire survivors in Lake and Mendocino Counties.

August 7, 2018–
North Coast Opportunities, Inc, (NCO) announced on Monday, July 30 th , that they’ve reopened their wildfire relief fund to support those impacted by the 2018 Lake and Mendocino County wildfires. All major credit cards are being accepted via PayPal at www.ncoinc.org, or by mail and in-person at 413 N. State Street, Ukiah CA, 95482.

In 2015, NCO worked with other area organizations in response to Lake County’s Rocky, Jerusalem, and Valley Fires. In 2016, NCO opened the fund in response to Lake County’s Clayton Fire, and again in 2017 for the Redwood Fire in Mendocino County and the Sulphur Fire in Lake County. The fund is now open with hopes to support those impacted by the Pawnee Fire, Ranch Fire and River Fire.

The Wildfire Relief Fund is dependent on community donations. Relief will be disbursed by committee determination or through NCO’s Disaster Case Managers. Those with the greatest needs, like residents who experienced a total loss, are given priority. 100% of donated funds will be returned to the community, directly to 2018 Lake and Mendocino County Fire survivors. Applications to apply for
assistance will soon be available at www.ncoinc.org.

While the Wildfire Relief Fund supports longer term needs, like housing repairs, hundreds of residents are still evacuated. Many people need immediate assistance with everyday basics, like gas, food, diapers, loss of wages, and more. “The best way to help people immediately is by donating visa gift cards,” says NCO Executive Director Patty Bruder. “We can immediately disperse gift cards to those who need it most.” During evacuation many residents experienced loss of power. As they repopulate, they will return home to spoiled food. Visa gift cards can help with food replacement and cover the extra housing and transportation costs incurred while being evacuated.

“Soon we’ll begin accepting applications from fire survivors who need assistance,” adds Bruder. “Once we’ve determined how much we’ve collected, we can begin defining the scope of disbursement, from eligibility, to recovery needs.”

NCO is the community action agency that supports Lake and Mendocino Counties as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO remains a committed partner during disasters that impact Lake and Mendocino Counties. This year NCO celebrates 50 years of service through community action.

Those interested in donating should contact NCO at 707-467-3200. Fire survivors in Mendocino County may contact Disaster Case Managers at 707-621-8817. Lake County Disaster Case Managers may be reached at 707-994-2910. For more information or to donate please visit www.ncoinc.org.

Become a Member

Did you find this article useful and informative? We depend on your support to continue providing all of Mendocino with breaking, in-depth and objective news. Help us continue this mission at our Patreon site by becoming a member.